E38 728i Turbo
Kenneth Larson
The E23 introduced many electronic features for the first time in a BMW, including an on-board computer, service interval indicator, a "check control panel" (warning lights to indicate system faults to the driver), a dictaphone and complex climate control systems.[5][6] It was also the first BMW to offer an anti-lock braking system (ABS),[7][8] a driver's airbag (optional, starting in April 1985[9][10]) and a new design of front suspension.[11]
Options included leather upholstery, wood trim, power seats, seat heaters, reclining rear seats, power windows, power mirrors, an in-car cellular telephone and rear-armrest radio controls (only with the executive and highline pack ).[10][9]
The 1983 model year facelift (produced from September 1982) included styling changes to the front of the car: wider and more angular 'kidney' grilles, valance/spoiler, bumper bars, etc. Inside the car, the dashboard and instrument panels were also updated. The rear suspension was updated and the 735i engine changed from the M90 to the M30B34.
In the US, 1984 saw the arrival of the optional 4-speed automatic transmission[18] (replacing the 3-speed unit previously offered), wood trim replacing the plastic above the glove compartment and on the ashtray and electrically adjustable power seats. Michelin TRX tyres (requiring special metric wheels) became available as an option on the 5-speed manual models.
The 725i model was not officially sold but produced for West German government agencies which, at the time, were not allowed to have engines larger than 2.5 liter in official cars. 921 models were produced.[19]
The 745i was a high-performance model sold in left-hand-drive European markets from 1979 to 1986. It was initially powered by the M102 engine, which is a turbocharged 3.2 L version of the M30 straight-six engine, producing 185 kW (248 hp; 252 PS) at 9 PSI of boost.[20] In 1982, the engine was upgraded to the M106, which increased the capacity to 3.4 litres and the fuel injection system changed from Jetronic to Motronic. Boost pressure was reduced to 6 PSI,[21] however power output was unchanged.
All M102 cars were built with a 3-speed ZF 3HP22 automatic transmission. All M106 cars were built with a 4-speed ZF 4HP22 automatic transmission.[21][22] Options included heated front and rear power reclining seats, gasoline fired heater, leather covered cellular telephone, rear-armrest radio control, water buffalo hide upholstery, and burl wood trim.
The name 745i comes from the theoretical assumption that turbocharged engines have approximately 1.4 times more power than naturally aspirated engines. By this assumption, a 3.2 litre (3205 cc) turbocharged engine would have similar power to a 4.5 litre (4487 cc) naturally aspirated engine.
BMW South Africa entered one of these 745i models in Class A of the South African Modified Saloon Car Championship The 745i won the championship in 1985,[25] the only BMW-Sanctioned motorsport application in the history of BMW 7 Series cars.[26]
Only the 733i, 735i, and L7 models were sold in the United States and Japan.[27] These markets also received only upscale versions, usually including leather upholstery, cruise control, wood trim, power windows, power sunroof, and other options as standard.
North American versions were fitted with larger bumpers (to comply with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards), smaller sealed beam headlights, and various forms of emissions equipment that were not found on European-market cars. The engines used in these markets had lower-compression pistons and thus were less powerful than European-market versions. Some features such as ABS were available in markets outside North America before they were fitted on American models.
The L7 was a more luxurious version of the 735i for the American market only.[28] It featured special leather upholstery with leather dashboard and door padding (rather than wood trim), a power glass Moonroof, and a variety of optional features as standard. All L7 models were built with automatic transmissions and a standard driver's air bag.
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation[1] and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine and the last to be available with a manual transmission.
In early 1988, development began on the third generation of the 7 Series.[2] From 1988 to 1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe[3] (through April 1990, taken over by Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen and further refined into production form.[4]
In February 1991, the final production design for the new 7 Series was approved by the board 36 months ahead of the scheduled start of production for 17 February 1994.[2] On 27 April 1993, German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation.[5] Patents were later filed on 27 October 1993 in the United States.[6]
Production started on 23 July 1993 on pilot production models and US specification variants on 13 January 1994, with series production commencing in April 1994 for June 1994 domestic German launch with the 730i and 740i.[7] US-specification cars entered production in September 1994, for November 1994 launch. On 18 February 1994, the E38 BMW 7 Series was unveiled for the 1995 model year via a BMW press release. The 750i production began in November 1994, in advance of its January 1995 launch.[8][9]
A 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic transmission was available on all models.[14] In many markets, a 5-speed manual transmission was available for the 725tds, 728i,[15] 730i,[16] and 735i,[17] while a 6-speed manual was on offer for the 740i.[18]
Safety features include ASC+T traction control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), headlight washers and auto-leveling low beam xenon HID headlamps. Side tubular airbags (called "Head Protection System") were fitted as standard equipment.[19][20] "Active Comfort Seats" were introduced in 1998, to improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger.[21] This system uses two fluid-filled bladders which alternate in height.[22]
Other equipment includes Electronic Damper Control (called EDC III), Park Distance Control (PDC), auto-dimming & power folding mirrors, power moonroof, power rear sunblind, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone or tri-zone climate control, electric driver's seat adjustment and electric steering wheel adjustment.
Double glazed windows were available (called "dual pane glass").[23] Break resistant laminated "security glass" was also available, which is known to delaminate. The delamination occurred with the Protection S357A option only, not with normal S352A dual pane windows.[23][24][25] Bullet-resistant glass was used for the Protection model, with even thicker glass used for the Security model.[23]
From 1997 to 2001, BMW marketed an extended wheelbase limousine model called the L7.[33][34] The wheelbase was extended by 250 mm (9.8 in) over the "iL" models, resulting in an overall length of 5.37 m (211.4 in).[35] Features included electrically adjustable rear seats, rear footrests, fold down rear trays, a fridge, rear television screen, video player and a fax machine.[35][36]
Based on the 750iL with a 12-cylinder engine, the L7 has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).[37] The L7 was only available in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, and 899 examples were built.[10] The 2000-2001 models had an optional "privacy window" glass partition to separate the driver from the rear passengers.[38]
The armoured "Protection Line" vehicles were built from 2000 to 2001 and were based on the 740iL and 750iL models.[39] Security features include body armor, bullet-resistant glass, and run-flat tyres.[40][41] An intercom system is provided to communicate with people outside the vehicle while the windows and doors are shut.[42]
A High-Security version with protection up to B6/7[43] was also available in Europe,[44] known internally as the 750iL S. The additional security measures brought an additional weight of 950 kg (2,094 lb) compared to the normal 750iL.[45][46]Features include explosive cord around the windshield allowing removal of the windshield facilitating escape[46] and hydraulically actuated windows.[46] A gas sensor can detect irritants like CS gas and respond by turning the blower motor off, closing fresh air flaps and all windows.[46] A fire suppression system is triggered by either a button or the detection of extreme temperatures in the engine bay or the vicinity of the fuel tank.[46][47] A breathing air system is also available which delivers air from a cylinder in the trunk,[46] up to three firearms cases designed to fit a Heckler & Koch MP5K were also optionally available[46] as well as spherical gunports in the doors.[46]
On 11 May 2000, BMW presented a fleet of fifteen 750hL models in Berlin.[48]Its twelve-cylinder hydrogen combustion engine can be operated on both hydrogen and petrol. In operation on hydrogen, it delivers 150 kW (201 hp), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.6 seconds and slowing the car to attain a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph).[49]
The production of the hydrogen engine was integrated into the regular engine production at the Dingolfing plant. It differs from the conventional petrol engine essentially only in regards to the intake tract with additional injection valves for hydrogen.[50] The hydrogen is stored cryogenically at a temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius in a double-walled steel tank behind the rear seat back. The hydrogen tank holds 140 litres and allows an additional range of 350 km (217 mi).[49] In addition, the 750hL has a fuel cell rated at 5 kW (7 hp) at 42 volts. This is not used as a drive unit, but as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for power supply to the electrical system.[51]
During the Expo 2000 in Hanover, the vehicles were used as shuttles. From February to November 2001 the vehicles were part of the "CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001" in the cities of Dubai, Brussels, Milan, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Berlin. By November 2001 the 750hL had achieved a mileage of over 150,000 km.[52] On the Nrburgring the 750hL recorded a time of 9 minutes and 53 seconds while powered by hydrogen.[53]
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